Each year, I see many old, galvanized metal tomato cages being thrown away and think there must be something we can do with these instead of heading to the landfill. Recently, I visited a community garden and saw the most beautiful creative way to repurpose & reuse an old, galvanized tomato cage.
It is called "gabion," which means "big cage" in Italian and is filled with stone & gravel. We are using the old metal tomato cages to make pedestal stands. Since there are many sizes and widths of tomato cages these types of gabion pedestals add interest to all kinds of gardens.
To build a gabion pedestal from a tomato cage for your garden, you will need to follow a few steps. Gabions are wire mesh containers filled with stones or other materials commonly used in construction and landscaping projects.
By repurposing a tomato cage, create a smaller-scale gabion pedestal that adds an exciting element to your garden design.
Here is a detailed guide on how to build a gabion pedestal from a tomato cage:
Step 1: Gather the Materials
- Tomato cage: Choose a sturdy tomato cage made of galvanized steel or heavy-duty wire mesh.
- Wire cutters: You will need wire cutters to modify the tomato cage.
- Wire ties or hog rings: These will be used to secure the modified tomato
cage.
- Landscape fabric: Get landscape fabric to line the inside of the gabion pedestal,
- Gravel or small stones: Select stones or gravel that fit through the mesh of the tomato cage blinks.
Step 2: Modify the Tomato Cage
- Start by removing any plastic coating or attachments from the tomato cage using wire cutters.
- Cut off the pointed ends of the tomato cage legs, leaving approximately 6 inches of straight wire.
- Cut off the top ring of the tomato cage, leaving only the vertical wires.
Step 3: Prepare the Base
- Choose a suitable location in your garden for the gabion pedestal.
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the base of the tomato cage to ensure stability.
- Level the ground and remove any rocks or debris.
Step 3: Line the Inside
- Cut a landscape fabric to fit inside the modified tomato cage.
- Line the inside of the cage with landscape fabric, ensuring it covers all sides and overlaps at least 6 inches at the top.
Step 4: Fill with Stones
- Fill the lined tomato cage with gravel or small stones, ensuring they are tightly packed.
- Use a tamper or the back of a shovel to compact the stones as you fill the cage.
- Continue filling until the gabion pedestal is at your desired height, leaving enough space at the top for finishing.
Step 6: Secure the Top
- Fold the excess landscape fabric over the top of the filled tomato cage.
- Use wire ties or hog rings to secure the fabric and hold the stones in place
Step 7: Finishing Touches
- Trim any excess landscape fabric from the top of the gabion pedestal.
- Use wire cutters to trim any protruding wires from the tomato cage.
- If desired, paint or seal the gabion pedestal to match your garden's aesthetic.
Following these steps, you can create a unique and visually appealing gabion pedestal using a repurposed tomato cage. Consider safety precautions while working with wire cutters and ensure the Gabian pedestal is stable before placing any objects on top.
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